Mechanically-integrated shooter and target game utilizing breath-activation of free-flying projectiles

ABSTRACT

A mechanically-integrated shooter and target game utilizing breath-activation of a free-flying projectile includes at least one of (a) player-adjustability of the position of a game-integrated target member relative to a base member and air turret of the game, which in turn alters game-play difficulty, (b) at least one user-selectable game-integrated target member whereby projectile interaction may occur with differing such target members, or (c) at least one scoring sensor affixed to the game and detecting physical interaction events occurring between the projectile and game-integrated target member. The scoring sensor can perform at least one of generating a sound, producing a light, producing viewable read-out data, storing data, or transmitting data to a remote digital device, in each case responsive to the interaction events.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present improvement invention relates to projectile shooter and target games, and in particular to mechanically-integrated shooter and target games utilizing breath-activation of free-flying projectiles.

2. Discussion of Related Art

With the exception of the shooter and target game disclosed in PCT/RU97/00319 by Bznuni, the remaining relevant prior art games do not constitute mechanically-integrated shooter and target games utilizing breath-activation of free-flying projectiles. Unlike the above Bznuni game, such remaining relevant prior art games are based on non-mechanically-integrated remotely-located targets requiring a set-up process of affixing such a remote target to a stationary object of suitable distance from the player of the game and suitable height above the ground. The present inventor, Bznuni, now describes synergistic improvement features relating to the above prior art mechanically-integrated shooter and target game. Among other advantages, such improvement features firstly fulfill the modern game-play requirements of game feature flexibility, differing game-play difficulty levels and scoring readout data, and secondly support expanded pulmonary-related difficultly levels and corresponding readout data.

The above-identified prior art PCT patent application #PCT/RU97/00319 also by the present inventor describes a mechanically-integrated shooter and target game utilizing breath-activation of free-flying projectiles. The game includes an elongated air turret having an open interior pathway, an air input-end engaging the mouth of a user of the game and receiving a breath-induced air column, and an air-output end that engages with and inserts such air column into a base member of the game. The base member is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect the air column toward a free-flying ball-shaped projectile located proximal to the base member. In this manner the redirected air column may launch the projectile toward a game-integrated ring-shaped target member located distal to the base member and affixed to a support member of the game. Among other advantages, a unique feature of the above prior art game, now improved by the present invention, is enablement of a player to maintain a free-flying state of the ball-shaped projectile while manipulating multiple sequential physical interactions between the ball-shaped projectile and a target member.

The aforementioned prior art game, has shortfalls, which include, for example, no player adjustability of the position of the target member relative to the base member, no user-selectable game-integrated target member affixed to a support member to enable interaction with differing such game-integrated target members, or some kind of scoring sensor affixed to the game and detecting physical interaction events occurring between a projectile and a game-integrated target member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved mechanically-integrated shooter and target game utilizing breath-activation of free-flying projectiles. More specifically, the game includes an elongated air turret having an open interior pathway, an air input-end engaging the mouth of a user of the game and receiving a breath-induced air column, and an air-output end which engages with and inserts such air column into a base member of the game. The base member is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to re-direct the air column toward a free-flying preferably ball-shaped projectile. In this manner, such redirected air column launches such projectile toward at least one user-selectable game-integrated target member affixed to a support member, thereby facilitating optional interaction with differing such game-integrated target members. The present invention further includes at least one of the synergistic-improvement features below which facilitate the modern game-play requirements of game feature flexibility, differing difficulty levels and scoring readout, as well as enhanced pulmonary-related difficulty options and related data for health or medical purposes.

1. A user-adjustable support member of the game enabling the position of the game-integrated target member relative to the base member and turret to be altered by a user of the game, which in turn alters the difficulty level of the game.

2. At least one game-integrated target member that is detachable from the support member of the game, such detachable target member comprising at least one of (a) a ring enabling a projectile to pass through such ring, (b) an open-bottom-basket enabling a projectile to pass through such basket, (c) a substantially 2-dimensional target surface preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value, or (d) a 3-dimensional target structure preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value.

3. At least one game-integrated target member that is affixed to a target selection member, such target selection member enabling at least one such target member to be positioned by a user of the game adjacent to the breath-induced air column so as to enable the projectile to physically interact with such selected target member.

4. At least one scoring sensor affixed to the game and detecting physical interaction events occurring between a projectile and a game-integrated target member, wherein the scoring sensor at least one of generates a sound, produces a light, produces viewable read-out data, stores data, or transmits data to a remote digital device, in each case responsive to said interaction events.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention an improved mechanically-integrated shooter and target game utilizing a breath-actuated free-flying ball-shaped projectile is provided. More specifically, and according to another embodiment, the game includes an elongated air turret having an air input-end engaging the mouth of a user of the game and receiving a breath-induced air column, and an air-output end which engages with and inserts such air into a base member of the game. The base member is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect the air column toward a free-flying ball-shaped projectile. In this manner such redirected air column launches such projectile toward a game-integrated ring-shaped target member affixed to a user-adjustable support member of the game. The User-adjustable support member enables the position of the game-integrated target member relative to base member and turret be altered by a user of the game, which in turn alters game-play difficulty. Such altering of difficulty additionally enhances pulmonary-related exercise and performance evaluation capability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of an exemplary prior art non-mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game.

FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting a prior art mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the improved mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the preferred embodiment of the improved mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a drawing depicting an exemplary prior art non-mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game G1, such game comprising elongated air turret AT1 having open interior pathway AT1.p, air-input end AT1.i, and air-output end AT1.o. Air input-end AT1.i is configured to engage the mouth of a user of the game and receive breath-induced air column AC1, and air-output end AT1.o ejects air column AC1 toward free-flying ball-shaped projectile P1 confined but moving within turret AT1. In this manner air column AC1 may launch such projectile P1 toward remote substantially 2-dimensional target member RT1 which is not mechanically integrated with game G1.

FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting a prior art mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game G2, such game comprising elongated air turret AT2 having open interior pathway AT2.p, air-input end AT2.i, and air-output end AT2.o. Air-input end AT2.i engages the mouth of a user of the game and receives breath-induced air column AC2, and air-output end AT2.o engages with and inserts air column AC2 into base member B2. Base member B2 is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect air column AC2 toward free-flying ball-shaped projectile P2. In this manner redirected air column AC2.r launches projectile P2 toward game-integrated ring-shaped target member TM2 affixed to support member SM2 the game.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of an exemplary embodiment of the improved mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game G3 of the present invention, such game comprising elongated air turret AT3 having open interior pathway AT3.p, air-input end AT3.i, and air-output end AT3.o. Air-input end AT3.i engages the mouth of a user of the game and receives breath-induced air column AC3, and air-output end AT3.o engages with and inserts air column AC3 into base member B3. Base member B3 is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect air column AC3 toward free-flying preferably ball-shaped projectile P3. In this manner redirected air column AC3.r launches projectile P3 toward one of (a) a game-integrated detachable target member DTM3 or (b) a game-integrated target selection member TSM3 comprising at least two target members consisting of TSM3.1 shown by example as a ring-shaped target member, and TSM3.2 shown by example as an open-bottom basket target member, in which both “(a)” and “(b)” are options for game G4 and are affixed to user-adjustable support member USM3. User-adjustable support member USM3 enables the position of at least one of detachable target member DTM3 or target selection member TSM3, relative to base member B3 and air turret AT3 to be altered by a user of the game, which in turn alters the player difficulty level of the game. At least 4 exemplary configurations of the target member may optionally be employed in the game and consist of (a) open ring TSM3.1 enabling said projectile to pass though such ring, (b) open-bottom-basket TSM3.2 enabling said projectile to pass through such basket, (c) a substantially 2-dimensional target surface TSM3.3 enabling said projectile to reflect off of such surface and preferably comprising multiple target zones each having a score value, and (d) a 3-dimensional target structure TSM3.4 enabling said projectile to reflect off of such structure and preferably comprising multiple target zones each having a score value. Scoring sensor SS3 is affixed to game G3 and detects physical interaction events occurring between projectile P3 and one of detachable target member DTM3 or target selection member TSM3, wherein scoring sensor SS3 outputs at least one of a sound, a light, viewable read-out data, stored data, or transmitted data to a remote digital device such as smartphone, in each case for either game entertainment or pulmonary-related medical purposes.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the preferred embodiment of the improved mechanically-integrated breath-activated shooter and target game G4 of the present invention, such game comprising elongated air turret AT4 having open interior pathway AT4.p, air-input end AT4.i, and air-output end AT4.o. Air-input end AT4.i engages the mouth of a user of the game and receives breath-induced air column AC4, and air-output end AT4.o engages with and inserts air column AC4 into base member B4. Base member B4 is designed and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect air column AC4 toward free-flying ball-shaped projectile P4.b. In this manner redirected air column AC4.r launches projectile P4.b toward game-integrated ring-shaped target member TM4.r affixed to user-adjustable support member USM4. User-adjustable support member USM4 enables the position of ring-shaped target member TM4.ring, with respect to base member B4 and turret AT4 to be adjusted by a user of the game, which in turn alters the player difficulty level of the game.

The foregoing discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanically-integrated shooter and target game comprising: a breath-actuated free-flying projectile; an elongated air turret having an open interior pathway, an air-output end, and an air-input end configured to engage the mouth of a user of the game and to receive a breath-induced air column; a base member coupled to the air-output end of the elongated turret, said base member configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect such air column toward the free-flying projectile; at least one user-selectable game-integrated target member; and, a user-adjustable support member integrated into the base member and being configured to removably affix the user-selectable target member to the game and enable a position of the target member relative to the base member and air turret to be altered.
 2. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game-integrated target member comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of: a ring enabling a projectile to pass through such ring; an open-bottom-basket enabling a projectile to pass through such basket; a substantially 2-dimensional target surface defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value; and a 3-dimensional target structure preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value.
 3. The game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one scoring sensor affixed to the game and configured to detect physical interaction events occurring between the projectile and the integrated target member, the scoring sensor can perform at least one selected from a group consisting of generating a sound, producing a light, producing viewable read-out data, storing data, and transmitting data to a remote digital device, in each case responsive to said interaction events.
 4. A mechanically-integrated shooter and target game comprising: a breath-actuated free-flying projectile; an elongated air turret having an open interior pathway, an air-output end, and an air-input end configured to engage the mouth of a user of the game and to receive a breath-induced air column; a base member coupled to the air-output end of the turret, said base member configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect such air column toward the free-flying projectile; a single game-integrated target member configured to physically interact with such free-flying projectile; and, a user-adjustable support member integrated into the base member and being configured to removably affix the game-integrated target member to the game, wherein the user-adjustable support member enables the position of the target member relative to the base member and air turret to be altered by a user of the game.
 5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the game-integrated target member comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of: (a) a ring enabling a projectile to pass through such ring; (b) an open-bottom-basket enabling a projectile to pass through such basket; (c) a substantially 2-dimensional target surface preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value; and (d) a 3-dimensional target structure preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value.
 6. The game according to claim 4 further comprising at least one scoring sensor is affixed to the game and configured to detect physical interaction events occurring between a projectile and the integrated target member, wherein the scoring sensor can perform at least one selected from a group consisting of generating a sound, producing a light, producing viewable read-out data, storing data, or transmitting data to a remote digital device, in each case responsive to said interaction events.
 7. An improved mechanically-integrated shooter and target game comprising: a breath-actuated free-flying projectile; an elongated air turret having an open interior pathway, an air-output end, and an air-input end configured to engage the mouth of a user of the game and to receive a breath-induced air column; a base member coupled to the air-output end of the turret and configured to be held by a player of the game and to redirect such air column toward a free-flying projectile; at least one user-selectable game-integrated target member; and, a non-adjustable support member integrated into the base for affixing the user-selectable target member to the game.
 8. The game as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one user selectable game-integrated target member comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of (a) a ring enabling a projectile to pass through such ring, (b) an open-bottom-basket enabling a projectile to pass through such basket, (c) a substantially 2-dimensional target surface preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value, and (d) a 3-dimensional target structure preferably defining multiple target zones each indicating a score value.
 9. The game as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at least one scoring sensor affixed to the game and detects physical interaction events occurring between a projectile and the integrated target member, wherein the scoring sensor can perform at least one selected from a group consisting of generating a sound, producing a light, producing viewable read-out data, storing data, or transmitting data to a remote digital device, in each case responsive to said interaction events. 